Apparatus for mining coal



Nov. 12, 1929. E. c. MORGAN APPARATUS FOR MINING GOAL Original FiledJuly 5,1915 6 Sheets-Sheet km. N Q m m N Nbv.'12, 1929. E. c; MORGANAPPARATUS FOR MINING COAL ori inal Filed July 5,1915 6 she ts-s 2 Nbv.12, 1929. E. c. MORGAN A APPARATUS FOR MINING GOAL Original Filed July5,1913 6 Sheets-Sheet fis MW I \m Nov. 12, 1929. E. c. MORGAN APPARATUSFOR MINING COAL Original Filed July 5,1915 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q mm Nov.12, 1929. ,E. c. MORGAN I APPARATUS FOR MINING COAL Original Filed July5,1915 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q QR Qw IIIIIIIKILIIILNIIIIIFII IRIIIIK p Nov.12, 1929. E. c. MORGAN APPARATUS FOR MINING GOAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Original Filed July 5,1913

m AW? KKV/ Patented Nov. 12, 1929 EDMUND c. MORGAN, or, CHICAGO,"ILLINOIS; onrvnnuennn MORGAN :n xncnrnix F SAID EDMUND C.

MORGAN, DECEASED APPARATUS non MINING ooAL' Original application filedJuly 5, 1913, SerialNo. 777,436. Divided and this application 1916.Serial No. 76,911.

j My invention relates to improvements in.

\ for mining coal and other materials, arranged to as to be efficient,reliable and rapid in operation particularly when it is desired toremove comparatively large blocks of material from a mine wall.

Other objects of my invention will appear hereinafter, the novelcombinations of elements and novel features of'the invention being setforth in the appended claims.

' Referring to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation of animproved mining machine"; Y Fig. 2 is a plan view. of Fig. 1; e

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on line 2 -2' ofFig.1; I

' Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional vlew substantially on the line 33 ofFig. 2 illustrating the adaptability of the parts to the variouspositions of the kerf-cutting devices;

Fig. 4 is a detail View of a rolling mill olnt 7 used between thecutter'heads and the driv- 30 ing mechanism therefor Figs. 5 and 6 aredetail views of the parts by which the cutting mechanism may beremovably attached to the driving mechanism;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical'view substantially on'the, line 7 of Fig.2, this view being partly in section and illustrating details.

of the balancing supportsfor the kerf-cuttin g devices; 1 Fig.8 is asectional view substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1; a g I V Fig. 9is a plan view of loop chain cutters connected to horizontal kerfcutters; Fig. 10 is an elevation ofthe construction showninFig.9; 1,7. 1Fig. '10 is adetail sectionalview. on the line lo -10 of'Fig. 10,looking in the direction of the arrows Fig. 11 is a detail transversesectional View on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10, looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

filed February 8,

Fig. 12 is a view in diagram illustrating a vein or seam of coal in itsnative .bedin the mine, into which a plurality of kerfs have been cut inaccordance with the principle of operation of my improved miningmachinedisclosed herein; Fig. 13 is an elevation of Fig. 12; I i

ig. 14 isa diagramatic'sectional viejw of the vertical kerfs,' ontheflline 14 ,14 of Fig.v 15 is also a; diagrammatic sectional view ofFig. 13 but taken onthe, line 15515, looking inthe direction of thearrows.

In the miningof coal, it-fis'particularly. def

sirable toremove the coal from-the mine wall i in large, regularanduniform blockspso that not only may they be conveniently removed fromthe mine and packedfor transportation but the efficiency of thecoalinl-large blocks will be retained much better than if broken intocomparatively..smallparticles. In the drawings, particularly in Figs. 12.to 15 inelusive, I havediagrammatically illustrated an improved methodof mining coal in large blocks,.which can be carried out by the improvedmining machine disclosed herein.

Referring to Figs.- 12 .to 15 inclusive,.A indicates a vein orseamofcoal which maybe representativefof any vein or: seam from whichcoal is to be mined. 1 Theseviews show the operations in the progress ofrunning an entry into the vein. A plurality of ,kerfs spaced apart, asshown, arefc utintothevein or seam a substantial distance horizontally,in accordance with the requirements and'condi tions of the particularvein which ,is tobe mined. As shown in the drawings; these .kerfs lie inplanes disposed at angles with respect to each other so that thecoalwillbe divided up'into a plurality ofblock s of convenient and practicalsize. The horizontal kerfs B lie preferably in substantially' hori.-.

zontal planes with respect to the pitch or I inclination of the vein,and preferablyexten'd from one side of the. mine chamber to'the other.These kerfs also extend into thevein v f longitudinally whateverdistance is found to be practicable under the particular condi tions. Inthe diagram in Figs. 12 and 13, the horizontal planes in which thesekerfs' Bare co- 7 In the v,drav'zin'gs,'I have shown three horiout arepreferably parallel and arranged one above the -other,'and there may beas many of such kerfs as the conditions require, preferably at leastthree. In the diagrams designated Figs. 12 to inclusive,- I'have.

illustrated threesuch horizontal kerfs, one along the roof of the minechamber, one along the floor of the mine, and one intermediate the upperand lowerzkerfs and'preferablyequally spaced therefrom. The thickness oftheyvein and the size of the blocks to be removed will determine thenumber of such kerfs to be made. v

' The verticalker'fs G preferably lie in substantially vertical planesand approximately at right angles to; the horizontal kerfs. Furthermore,such vertical kerfs are spaced apart at intervals and across thewidth ofthe 'room. These vertical kerf s may extend into the vein anydesired-distance, but the bestresults are obtained'by extending themslightlybeyond the inner edges of the horizontal kerfs, as shown inFigs. 14 and 15and illustrated in dotted lines in Figs. 12 and 13.;While the vertical kerfs C may be cut so as to intersect the horizontalkerfs. and

thereby completely sever thetblocks of coal from the mine wall except atthe rear end I thereoflI find it des irableto leave small uncut portionsC adjacent thehorizontal' kerfs, as shownin Fig. 14, particularly whenthe vertical kerfs are cutfirst, and a kerf-cuttmg or mining machine isusediin making all the kerfs. Theseluncut portions C, althoughrelatively thin, serve to hold. the blocks against lateral displacementwhen a strain comes upon them during the cutting of the horizontal'kerfsThat is'to say, as the cutting .ofthe horizontal kerfs progresses fromone side of the room to the other, strains or pressure exerted thecutting mechanism along the line of the horizontal kerfs' will notoperate to break loose the blocks and move themlaterally even though thevertical ker'fs C .have already been ,cut, for the reason that .theuncut portions 'C serve to hold the blocks in position againstthislateral pressure. The uncut portions'C do not-resis't toanyappreciable extent the breaking loose of the'blocks of coal and themovement thereo'fin a substantially vertical direction when the blocksdrop orbrea'k loose by reason of 'their own weight, or when, as mavfbenecessary in some'cases,'a slight force is used to dislodge them. I

In additionto the vertical kerfs .C,"I also cut acontinuous.verticalfkerf'D in therear of the horizontal kerfs Band theverticalkeris C. "T he number of these. vertical kerfsD Ede-Q pendsupon'the-number 'oii horizontal ker'fs zontal kerfs B as previouslydescribed, in'consequence'l out only one kerf D between the upper andlower horizontal kerfs B. The

I rear ivertical kertD lies in a general plane .kerfs B-but-stops:-s'hort of these last-menwhich is substantially transversetojthe planes of both the horizontal kerfs B and the vertical kerfs C.'In the drawings, the rear vertical kerf D' is shown'intersecting theintermediate horizontal kerf B and also all of the vertical-.kerfs C.Prete rablygthe rear vertical kerf I) does not extend either upwardly ordownwardly a suflicient distance to intersect the upper and lowerZhorizontal 5 tioned kerfs. This leaves the uncut por- 7 tions 1)along-the rear ends of the blocks of coal,..and thepurpose of the kert Dis simply to weaken the portions or ends or theb'lo c'ks or slabs ofcoal which are attached to the body of the vein or mine wall, sotl-1at-; the blocks may be readilybrokenloose'from.Zthe mine Wall,either by gravitylwhich will cause them to drop downwardly,orfby reasonf a slight additionalv force, if ;.such itiona'l force is found to'benecessary.

In Fig. 12 I have shown thee idportions1D of the kerfD and the .enrl p,tionsoflthe horizontal kerfsv B as 'beingcut upgna curve or arc;although this is preferable, not necessary, as thesaid end portionsmaygiven any configuration The 1 3, shaped ends shown, however,:are..ofradvan tage for certain typeset miningmachine,

son that it enablesthe cuttingn echanism.to start into a the veinqat the,frontends-or ,front portions of the wall oflmateri-ahand ithesearc-shaped end portions also serve to :determine the Width of the roomanditojiiorm the side wallsithereo't, r

In mining coal in the mannerlillustrated in Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive, Iprefer to cnt the, vertical kerfs C first and thenrcut ithe orizontalkerfs B .andithe rverticalikgerfs D means .of the apparatus herein Thehorizontal kerfs and i the :vertical ,lieris D may be cutsimultaneously.cutting the kerfs B andD, I preferto start-the cutting mechanism intothe-mine wall.;s uhs ta1 1 tially at the pointDhatoneesideaofitheroom,and carry onthe cutting operationgra from this pointacross themine wall-ito the other side of themine chamber. theicutting of the :kerfs :and Dp-rogre'ssesacross .11 the mine .Wall, there is tendency iforth-e blocksthus formed to drop of :thgeinv Weight, but to prevent these blocks fromdropping, and binding :the cutting gmechanism, I support the blocksain.theirapositions' until at last the :cutting :mechanism 'i'has passedeach block. The blocks mayabe :LSlIlP-T ported in any desiredmannerra-nd-theqsupports left in place, if desired, un'tiL-all of-jtheblocks areboundedby'gkerfsyorEthe supports may be removed as soon 'as-'the cutting mechanism passes the vertical kerfs .and theblocksallowed"totdrop;successively. I

In the machine illustrated Jdl jigo v 'ings and described hereinafter,I'providc a support for the blocks which trails along in the kerfsimmediately following the cut ting mechanism and temporarily supportsthe blocks from which the kerfs have been cut, this supporting mechanismgradually moving from under the blocks and allowing them to drop if thecondition of the coal is such that they will break loose of their ownWeight, or at-least leaving the blocks in such condition that they maybe broken'loose by the application of acomparatively slight force.

It should also be understood that if desired the machine hereinafterdisclosed may first cut the horizontal kerfs B and the rear verticalkerfs D, after which thevertical kerfs C could be cut by means of anywell known Vertical kerf-cutting machine and the blocks of coal thusdislodged fromthe mine wall by gravity loaded on mine cars by means of aloading machine. 7

Referring now to the views ofthe drawings which illustrate my improvedmining machine, it willbe seen that the mining ma-' chine properismounted upon a'suitable truck E, having wheelsl so that it may travelalong suitable rails or tracks 2 laid in the mine chamber. These wheels1 are mounted upon axles having ournals rotating in bearings of thetruck frame E, each axle carrying a bevel gear 4. A shaft 5 extendslongitudinally of the truck and carries at its ends the bevel gears 6,which mesh with the bevel gears 4 and through the medium of which "andthe shaft 5 the truck maybe'propelled along the track. One of the gears4 is disposed at one side of the shaft 5 and the other bevel gear 4 isdisposed at the opposite side of'the shaft 5, so thatthe latter willrotate both sets of wheels 1 in'the same direction, and power will thusbe applied toall of the wheels of the truck, so that the tractive effortwill be well distributed. In order to lock the truck to the track and atthe same time permit the truck to travel along the track, provide a setof angularly disposed flanged wheels or rollers 13, the flanges ofwhich, as shown in Fig. 1, engage theunder side of the ball of the rails2 and thereby prevent the block from being tilted or raised relativelyto the track by any strains or undue loads which may come upon themining machine and which might have a tendency to overbalance it. Theselocking wheels or rollers 13 are mounted at the lower ends ofthe'depending arms 14, which arms are rotatably mounted upon the shortshafts'15 outstanding from the frame of the truck so that the lockingwheelsmay be swung inwardly, away from the track rails, to permitraising of the truck from the track, in the event that it'is desired todo so on such an occasion as when the-machine is to be taken out of themine or the track relaid in other parts of the mine.

locking wheels to be readily thrown outof engagement with the track andat the same time the worm gearing serves to look the arms in anyrotated.

The truck frame E is shown 1n the form positions to which they "are Thebearing portions of these "rbmyarms, 14

of a flat platform which has an upstanding annular rim or flange 21'ofcomparatively large diameter. The varlousparts of the driving andcuttmg'mechamsm are pr1mar1ly supported upon a. broad fiat platform 25',V which has an under-hung parallel or sub-plat;

form 26 rigidly fastened thereto, as shown in Fig. 1; This sub-platform26' has a depending annular flange or rim 27 telescoping into theupstanding circular flange 21 of the truck. The flange 27 is of suchdiameter that it telescopes within the flange 21, and the two togetherin conjunction with theplatform' 25 constitute a turntable, the twoflanges 21 and 27 being relatively rotatable.

A motor M ismounted upon the'platform 25 atone side thereof so as toassist in balancing' the machine against the weight'of the cuttingmechanism, which is in general disposed at the opposite side of theplatform25.

The motor shaft, asshown in Fig.2, carries I a pinion 28 which drives alarge gear 28?, which is mounted upon a shaft 29 supported in bearingstandards 30 on the platform 25.

The shaft 29 carries the pinion 31, which is connected to a train ofgears 32 and 33. i The shaft 29 may be said to constitute the main shaftof the machine, because from it the various mechanisms'are driven. I Thegears ion 28 and 28 are of such ratioas to properly reduce the speedofthe motor. The gear33 is comparatively large in diameter 'andis mountedupon a countershaft 34;, which is ournaled in bearing standards 35rising from the platform 25. The intermediate gear 32 is mounted uponashaft which is suitably journaled in a bearing 36 mounted upon platform25, and is interposed between the gears 31 and 33 for the purposeof'securing the proper direction of rotation of thecountershaft which ismounted in the bearing 35.

This countershaft 3 l carries loosely'two bevel gears 37, which meshwith a similar bevel gear 38 interposed between-them. The bevelgears 37may be connected with or disconnected from the shaft 34 by means of anintermediate two-way clutch member 39, so that the shaft 34 may bearrangedto drive either of these gears. The clutch mechanism may beofanysuitable kind for the purpose. Inthe drawings]: have shown the clutchmember 39 as being. a' longitudinally slidable' sleeve splined nontheshaft 34 to rotatetherewith, and being v,adap tedtobe{shifted}longitudinally ineither directionbymeans of amanuallyoperated lever 40. Thus, by shifting the clutchjmeim rber 39into .engagement with eitherzonerof the gears 37,, the latter maybeconnected .With

the shaft 34 to he driven thereby. The gears 37 and the, clutchemember39have correspond- ,ing teeth for interlocking the two together.

Thelpurpose of this arrangement is to permit the shaft 42 (Fig. 1).,,upon vwhich the gear 38 is mounted, to be driven in either direction. Theshafti42 is mounted in the bearing 43 (Fig. 2) rising from .the platform;.tand

earrie-s'a bevel gear 44 at its other end which lmesheswithasimilarbevel gear 45, the latter beingmountedtupon ,a verticalshaft46 ;j ournaledin a bearing outstanding from the'platform 25. The shaft46 projects below the platform 25 Fig. 1)., and carries at its lower endapinion t? which meshes with. and. drives the large spurgear .48disposedbetweenthe main platform 25 and the sub-platform 26.

i The large gear 48fis mounted. uponthe upper endof a Vertical shaftwhiehis journaled at its upper endportion in the subplatform 26.

The shaft 49,.asshown in Fig2, is journaled in the subsplatform 26 andextends vertically. downwardthrough the center of the, flanges 21and27.Below its upper bearing the shaft 49 is perfectly square i n-crossse'ction and is adapted to slide Vertically Within a correspondingly;squarejholed ibush ing 50. Thisbushing is rotatablyjournaled in'therotary bushing E so that a, sliding bearing is thus formed ,for thelower :end

" portion of thes haft49, permittingthe shaft power of the ,.motor istransmitted through the variousv shaft clutches of theIgearsabovedescribed to the wheels 1 of thetruelecto propelIthe latter along-thetrack, the direction of movement ofthe truck'being controlled: by

a "the clutchmember 39 -(Fig. .2) whichispositioned. intermediate thebevel gears 37 on the counter-shaft '34. ItWill be noted, however,

that since the large horizontal gear 48 is carried, generally speaking,by. the truck, and

lt hepinioni l'f which meshes Withthis large gear is carried, generallyspeaking, by the rotary platform or turntable25, thereis a tend ;encyfor the-pinionAJ to walk around-the large gear48 instead ofactually-.rotating'or assesses driving the large gear, provided that.there- .sistance olferedby the .wheels tot he:movement of the truckalong the traek is greater than that-whichis offered by theiplatformflfito the rotary movementabo t-its axis. In other words, if the--truek-.offers greater resistance to being propelled along the-trackthan the platform 25 does to heing rotated,

the pinion 47 will travel around :the large gear 48 and thereby rotatethe platform, rather than actually rotate the ;large lgea'r itself topropel 'the'truck along the traek. This planetary gear arrangement isuse dain combination with brake .mechanEm pplied 'to the truckwheelshich in nee-use jloeks -the:tru ek to the-track. glthenxfihe-brakes are appli d, :the larg rig-ear 18 is'spraetieallyflocked, agains rotation, =.and inaeonsequenee w en the :pinion 47 isdrive -i ,will-trave around 1the-p eriphery,otthe tlwrge gear4'8 andtheflplatform will ;thereb be :given a Irotal'y movement. This conditionof; the;meehformer turntable. :to -heingaotfl ed is greater than'ofteredwby thestruekatoz e ng p opelled along the track, the,j-resultwil lbe that the large gear, 48. will She actually rotat d'bythe pinion -;-4l7, and the result vpo r will he applied '-to' prqpelthe :truckzaleng ithetraek- In order, :itherefor'e, --.t0iaffvordyresistance .ito

the rotary movem nt ofthe lplatfonmgpro vide ,Emeansihy which :thesplatform mayxbe positively looked against:irotatien upon the truckframe. c T 'f I *In :Fig. 1' is. shown 5a boss i-j53sproj ecti-ng fromone side of the ;cyli-ndri;cal--tru .k flange '21. :Thisfbossi-fit isscrew-thr aded and :ear-

rIflQS a pin 54 which may be screwed into or out oflany one ofatheseriest ofaelongated openings 55 distributed around the inner eywitha hand wheelj56 at -its touterend, by whieh it vmay be operated, J Thispin in conjunction withthe .hole'sqor openingsr55 serves to lock the;two flanges against relative; rotation, :and thus Zlock; theplatform 25against rotation relatively to ;t,he truek. ;Tl 1e;.pin .54 may bewithdrawn from Wh21llQYI;Qpgn

ing :55 1 it happens to be iny by-ittirni-ng the hand Wheel 56. when ili desired :to rotat the platformbr z-turntable.

Upstanding from:thevpl atform or; turntable -251is apairofsbearingsi60,;in-awhioh is jour- :naled a-sha-ft' 61,,-.asshownrinfFigpZ; This shaftcarries andisdriven by a gear;62,;which meshes :withthe, gear 7-63 on Ethe counter shaft 34. Theropedrumfi: is frotatablymou te upon; the-shaft :61andrisaadepted togbeeonn d'with or fclisconneetedifromithe shafthy means 10 sliding cluthimeni erz 6:5 illa ing teeth :66. arrangetlto interl ek wi hcorrespending teeth-on zthe'd-rurn -64.-

The eluteh :member'65. may hereadil-y shiftedbyirmeens of ahandleverfi't. .llhexropezdrum fiitmayhh 7 required for reciprocating themembers 71.

used independently 'of the previously described truck propellingmechanism, or it be used is to fasten thereto and wind thereon a cable68, anchored at a point 69 in the mine distant from the mining machine,and then actuating the drum by throwing in the clutch 65. The cable maybe anchored at any point in the mine, and in conjunction with thewindingdrum 64 may be used to pull the machine along the track whether the saidtrack be laid .incurves or ina straight line, asris the usual practiceinmining operations.

The platform 25 carries at one side thereof a rigid upstandingcasing ormember 70, as shown in Fig. 1. which forms a guideway orsupporting'member, for two vertically reciprocable or sliding members71, 72, which are bifurcated as shown in Fig. 7, so as to leave anopenspace 7 3between their respective bifurcations.v These reciprocablemembers 71, 72 support the upper and lower kerf cutters at theirupperand lower ends respectively, and

by reason of their vertical slidability the kerf. cutters may be raisedandlowered to vary the height of the mine chamber.

. In order to reduce to a mlnimum the power and 72 together withthekerfcutters carried thereby, I arrange the mechanism so that theweight of the upper member 71 together with the kerf cutter connectedthereto will assist in raising the lower member 72 together with thekerf cutter carried thereby. One of the bifurcations ofeach'ofthe'members 71 and 72 is provided with gear teeth 74 and 75 toform racks, the two sets of teeth or racks being disposed onoppositesides of the opening 7 3, as clearly shown'in Figs.7 tween thetwo racks and meshin therewith is abroad-facedpinion or gear. 76, thehub portions of which are rotatably journaled in the upstanding guidemember 70 as shown in Fig. 8, so that these journalswill take the entireWeight of the cutting mechanisms. At one end, the hub member 77 of thepinion 76 is provided with a worm gear 79 which is driven by a worm 78,the latter being mounted upon a shaft 80 which is journaledin a bracket81 on the. guideway member 70 and has at its other end a hand wheel 82for the convenient operation thereof. 'It-will thus be seen that byrotating the hand wheel 82. the

pinion 76 may be rotated'and the members 71' and 72 ,reciprocatedvertically relatively to each other and to the pinion'7 6. It will beparticularly notedalso that the weight of themember 71 and thecuttinglmechanism mounted thereon, in moving downward, will assist 'inthe rotatingof the pinion 76 and cause the pinionrto exert, through therack and 8. Be-- 75, a lifting action upon the member 72,. or]

vice versa. 7 When the cutting mechanisms are to be adjusted fartherapart, the weight of the member 72 and its cutting mechanism, in Tmoving downward, will assist in rotating the 'pinion through the mediumof the rack 75 and the pinion will, inturn, operate upon the.

rack 7 to assist in raising the member; 71 and its cutting mechanism.Thus it will be seen that the weights of the members 71 and'72 and theircutting mechanisms balance each other, and very littlepower will berequired to rotate the pinion to adjust the cutting mechanisms anydesired distance apart. It

will be noted also that the worm gears 78 and 7 9serve asan automaticlocking mechanism a to. hold the parts in any position to which they areadjusted. The pinion 76 and its hub 77 are hollow. and form a bearingfor the main shaft 29 which extends through its brackets beyond the huband carries 'atjits outer end a bevel pinion 83. Itwill be noted,however.

that the shaft 29. is relieved of the weight of the cutting mechanisms,since this weightis taken up by the bearings for ,th'ehub 77 .intheguideway member 70. The pinion 83f meshes with and drives a largehorizontally disposed bevel gear 8 f (Figshl, 2, 3 and 8),

which gear 84 is carried-byand preferablyformed integrallywi-th anelongated sleeve 85, andit is'through this mechanism that the drivingpower is tr ansmited to the cutting mechanisms. The sleeve 85 isjournaled in-the bearings 86which are formed inan extension 87 of themain platform 25, asshown in Figs.

1, 2 and 8.- The sleeve 85 carries a removable collar 88 at its lowerend, which normally prevents it from being shifted upwardly outof-itsbearings, and the gear 84 forms a collar for this same purpose atthe upper endof the sleeve.

The sleeve 85is adapted to drive the two:

shafts 89 and is hollowed for its entire length so as to form rollingmill joints for the ends 90 of the shaft 89, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.The rolling mill oints'between the shafts 89 and the sleeve 85 permituniversal movements of said shaftsto take care of any inequalities whichwould be likely-to bind the shafts in theevent that they-were rigidlymounted in the sleeve85, and they also permit the shafts tomovevertically in the'sleeve 85 j to accommodate the raising andloweringof the upper and lower kerf cutters. These roll ing mill jointsalso permit the, upperand' lower kerf cutters to'be slightly inclinedupwardly or downwardly, as will be later eX- plained; In the machineshownin the draw ings, I have provided three sets of kerf cut ters, anupper, a lowerand'an intermediate kerf cutter. These kerf cutters are inthe form of flat elongated frames, comparatively thin, and arranged tocut relatively thin kerfs. Each kerf cutter has'an elongated other totighten or loosen thechaincutters:

151 Each of the central blocks- 98 has journaled" Cuttingchain travels,The frames of the lierf cutters each comprise twomai npartsor members-95and 96; as shownin Figs l and 2 1 The member 96, as shown in Fig.2, isprovided with a slotinto which fits a block 98' which has twothreaded bars-99"ex'tending longitudinally of the slot in oppositedirections.

These threaded bars'ext'en'd through end por-' tions of the tail pieces97; and each carries at its outer end a nut 101. This mechanism forms aconvenient and simple means by which the frame members of the cuttingmechanism maybe adjusted relatively to each therein a Saar-r102 totheuppe'r end of which is ke'yed atspro'cket Wheel 103 around which thecutter chain extends and by which the latte-r isdriven- The shafts 102are carried upon cu-pfsliapedmembers 1041 as shown in F igl 3. Thesemembers are hollow and er rangedto form rolling mill joints in connec--tion With the other ends 105 and 90 of the shafts 893.. solthat' thereare i'iniv e'rsal dri'viiig connectionsbetween the shafts89 and the;

sfhzittslOQi The cup shapediiiembers 104 are journalfed in members 106extending from the framemembe'r's 96., .Thelatter are supported in cup'shaped me mbers lm, and the connections" between the members 106 and.107 are preferably in the form' of bayonet joints; so that the upperandlonir kerfcuttersinay be bodily removedvfrom' their supports in theevent that it is desired to replace them or rcmove" any of their. arts-These' bayo iet joints, as' shown in igs. 3, 4, .S'and 6 are formed byproyidingf the cup-shaped menihers 1 06 With laterally extendingsegmental flanges 1O8,"whichfare adapted to engage in the undercutgrooves 109 in the cup-shaped I supports 107, the rims of the cup-shapedsup supports 107 ha veicams 1111 as shown par-' ports 107 being providedwith cutaway portions or notches 110 to permit tl'ie insertion orWithdrawal of the flanges 108.. It will thus be seen that by entering"the flanges rosin.

the notches 110 and rotating: the cup-shaped member 106 a portion of aturn, the cutting mechanism may be rmova'bly attached to the supports107. j The rims of the" cup-shaped ticl'ilarly' at therlo iver end ofFig. 3. These cams 111 are located adjacent the notches 110 cuttingmechanisms and areadapted to act upon the segmental 1 flanges 108 toforce the {1W0 members tightly, together. The direction of rotationnecessary to fasten the 'ke'rf cutters in place these bayonet joints isopposite to that in which they rotate With the platform 25, so that thecutting operations will act to tightly set the in position on theirsuppo'rtsi; a

It is-desi'rablc in a machine of this character that the cuttingmechanisms be capable ofheiiig inclined slightly with respect to theirsupports, so thatthey'may' be accurately adjusted,- and to this-end Ihave mounted the Supporting' memb'ers 107 upon: the ends of the leversor arms 112, which are pivoted at 113 in extensions 11 1 of thevertically recipe rocable members 71, 2, and: the other ends of thelevers'or' arms 112 are formed as seg mental gears'115 Which mesh withthe Worms 116. (See/Figs. 1 andx7). The l atter arec mounted upon shaftsinthe endssof the mem here 71, 7 25'and these shafts are provided with:

hand Wheels 117 by the rotation of'Wh'icli the;

arms 112 may be rocked about theirpivots to vary the angular positionsof'the: cutting mechanisms} The mechanism for adjusting. 36

the inclination of the lowermost'ke'rf cutters diiiers from that for theuppermost kerf cutte'r only" in the fact that the lever 112 is formed asa: bell crank lever, so that the hand: Wheel llZ-and the wormfwhich itdrives' may beentirely' clear from the floor otgthle mine and thus notinterfere with the operation-not the lowermost kerf cutter; a Thecutting chains need no" particular de-= scription except to say thatthey travel around the peripheryot' the frame. member 95 and areprovided With side :li'nks1 l8-to guide them on their frame and prevent.the chains from becoming displaced. Eachch'ain has a series of cuttersor cutting t'ools-119 at spaced intervals; The intermediate kerf cutteris similar to the upper and lower ker't' 'cut ters except that itis notattached toits support by a bayonet joint; It has, however; meanssimilar to that o-f-the upper and lower keri cutters for tightening andloosening? the iiio chain, and the description thereof need not"'be'repeated. Its parts196 and 9?,as shown;

in Fig; 3, are Wider than-the corresponding parts of the upper andlow-er kerf cutters; so

as to allow room for the driving sleeve 851i Thisintermediate kerfcutter also is not'i n-j angles, as is the case of the otherkertcutters.

be far Ihave described onlythe-cutting mechanism for cutting horizontalke'ris, which mechanism isdescribed and claimed in. my co-pendingapplication. Serial Yo.- 777,436, filed July 5 1913,.f0r' an improve'ment in apparatusior' mining coal. The roll-.

" a character that they are notintended toreacli tended to be inclinedor-adj-ustedat different all the way to the'upper andlowerhoriz'ontalkerfs to completely sever the blocks ofcoalat their rearends, I utilize a cutter heel such as that indicated at 140 in Figs. 1and2, but Where the rear vertical kerf D is to be made wide or highenough to intersect the upper and lower horizontal ker-fs and completelysever .the blocks from the vein or from the mine wall, the structureshown inFigs. 9 and 10 is preferably forthe reason thatin-the lattercase a cutter wheel 140*ofsuiliciently large diameter to completelysever the rear ends of the blocks of coal would be too cumbersome tohandle, especially when the curves D (Fig. 12) at theends of the lrerf{areto be made. The cutter wheel 140 is mountedin a suitable frame, asshown in Figs. 1 and. 2, and is operated by the gear 33' which ismounted on the shaft 34'. .Provision maybe made for oscillatingthevertical cutter .140, but since the details of such construction aredisclosed and claimed in my aforesaid copendingapplication, Serial No.777 ,436, a brief mention thereof hereis suiiicient. I

The conditions and 1 grades ofv coal vary different, mines. Coal in somemines is more likely to break loose of its own weight than in othermines. Consequently,,inoperating a machine of the character herein.disclosed in some grades of coal the latterfis likely to dropimmediately behind the cutters, and per haps tend to bind the cuttingmechanism. As a protection therefor, I provide an additionalsupportwhich trails immediately be hind the vertical cutter 140 and thelowerhorizontal cutting mechanism, as 7 shown in Fig. 1. This support ispreferably constructed as alever which is suitably pivoted at 170 uponabearing upstanding from the platform extension 87. The flatc plate17l isof sufficient length to-extend almost to the ends of the kerf cutters,and is preferably in the form shown in Fig. 2,. and is preferablyslightly thinner than the thickness of the lrerf cutter frame. Thissupporting plate is positioned to follow immediately behind thehorizontal kerf cuttersand to thereby support the coal above the sameimmediately after thekerf cutters have passed. In order that this supporting plate may be constantly urged ups wardly and may yield to theinequalities of i the kerfs'and at the same time be sufficiently rigidto support the coal above it, the aforesaid lever hasa short arm 172upon which a stiff spiral spring 173 passes, thereby tending to raisethe plate 171 upwardly. This spring 173 is confined between the endsof'the lever arm 172 and the head 17% (Fig. 1) of a vertical bolt 175.This bolt passes through a lug 17 6 outstanding from the platformextension 87,'andcarries a'nut 177 at its lower end by V which thetension'of theispring may be regulated' as desired. The supportingdevice which is associated with theintermediate cuttingmechanism ismounted upon the platform extension 87 and-is' positioned immediatelybehind the casing 143, which carries the vertical cutter 140. The lowersupporting device 'associated'with the lower horizon-' tal kerf cutter,is identical in all respects to the one above described, and thedescription thereof need not be repeated except to say that it ismountedupon the member 96 of the kerf cutter frame. It may be desirable, undersome conditions, to cut the vertical kerfs D all the way'to the upperandlower horizontal kerfs, so as to completely sever or separate theblocks of coal from the body of the vein, and in Figs. 9 and 10 I haveillustrated the'mechanism embodying my invention for cutting the rearvertical kerfs D to completely sever the blocks of coal from the minewall; I have illustrated, and will describe,,this mechanism as operatinginconjunction with the above described horizontal kerf cutters tocompletely. sever theblocks onall-sides, but it will be observed thatthis additional mechanism isgof such construchorizontalkerfs all in thesame operation.

Although it is preferableto use both the horizontal kerf cuttingmechanisms and also the loop chain cutters operating III vertical planesas hereinafter ClQSCIlbBd, particularly when exceptionallyhard materialis to be cut from a mine wall, it should be understood that thehorizontal kerf cutters may be omitted. and

the loop chain cutters, either one or 'botli,used alone for producingthe :horizontal kerfs spaced apart as well as the.verticaLJkerfcon-:

necting the rear endsof the horizontal kerfs. Referring to Figs. v9and'lO, it will be observed that the horizontal kerf cutters are ingeneral the same as those aboveidescribedso far' as theirconstruction-,operation land adjustments are concerned. Some ofth'edetails have been slightlymodified sothat the machine may be adaptedtothe mounting of thefloop chain cutting "mechanism; For instance, itwill-be noted that the upper and lower horizontal kerf cutters aremounted di-f rectlyupon the lateral extensionsjll l of the verticallyreciprocating members 71 and 72,

instead of being mounted upon the pivot arms 112 for adjustment. Thehand wheel 82 and the parts which 'it operates to raise and lower theupper and lower horizontal 'kerf cutters is disposed, as shown in Fig.9, upon the other side of the p'uideway 70, but its operation issubstantially the same. 7 1

The main shaft 29, shown'in Fig.2, carries a large bevel'pinion 200, asshown in Fig. 9. This pinion meshes with the'bevel gear 201 mounted upona transverse countershaft 202 which is journaled in bearings 203, twoofwhich are mounted at intermediate portions of the large massive arms204:,which incline backwardly from the platform; The countershaft 202carries a pinion 205 at its outer end, which through the medium of thegears 206,

207 and 208-and the short shaft 209, drives the countershaft 34, fromwhich shaft, as

above described, the various propelling movements of the truck and therotary movements of the platform are accomplished in the same frame ispreferabl in advance of the plane of the upper frame in the direction ofmovement of the loop chain cutters. The lower reach. or length of theupper frame and the upper reach or length of the lower frame arecoincident with eachother in a horizontal plane, as shown in Fig. 10, sothat they will both enter and move in the intermediate hori= zontal kerfwhich has already been cut by the intermediatekerf cutter or which maybe cut I by the chain 211 when the horizontal kerf cut-' ters areomitted. The upper horizontal dimension or reach of the upper frame andthe lower horizontal dimension or reach of the lower frame arecoincident witli'the upper and lower horizontal kerf cuttersrespectively, so that theym-ay travel or move in the up per or lowerhorizontal kerfs cut by such horizontal kerf cutters or in the upper andlower horizontal kerfs made by the chains 210 and 211 where theuppermostand lowermost horizontal kerf cutters are omitted.

The upper frame U'is provided with an extension or arm 212 which forms ahorizontal guideway for a horizontal extension 216 integral with theintermediate arm 1,and the relatively sliding parts 212 and 216 supportthe frame U in such a manner that it may be shifted bodily horizontallyto properly adjust it in this direction. The lower frame L is alsoequipped with a similar extension 214, which forms a similar guidewayfor the hori-- zontal extension 213 which is integral with the platformand the sub-platform 26, as shown in Fig. 10. These constructionspenmitthe frames U and L to be bodily adjusted horizontally, and in order thatthis adjustment may be conveniently accomplished it will be seen thatthe guideway constructions 212 and 214: have slots or openings 217 intheir faces and also outstanding lugs 218 at their outer ends. Thehorizontal extensions 213 and 216 have outstanding lugs 219 which movein the openings 217-. The lugs 219'have openings through which adjustingbolts 220 extend, and these bolts carry nuts 221 on opposite sides ofthe lugs 218 and nuts 222 on opposite sides of the lugs 219, so that bymanipulating the said nuts the frames U'and L may be adjustedhorizontally and secured firmly in their adjusted positions. The framesU sections of each frame are formed as bearings which are adapted totelescope with or slide vertically in the vertical guides 226 of theother sections of each frame, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and thevertical guides 226 are pro:

vided with slots or openings 227 which ac commodate lugs 228 movabletherein" and mounted upon the flat vertical bars 225. The

vertical guides 226 havecorres'poi'i'ding lugs 229 which carry adjustingbolts 230' and a djusting nuts 231, which are similar to the bolts andnuts previously described for, ob

taining the horizontal adjustment of the frames. ,The outer verticaldi'mensions or vertical reaches 23 3iand 234'respectiv'ely of thesections of the two frames also telescope with each other, 'as clearlyshown in Fig. 11.

which is a section on the line 14?, 14 of Fig. 10. No adjusting partsare required'at the outer ends or reaches of the frames, since theadjusting bolts 230 and nuts 231 at the inner ends of the frames aresufficient, as shown in Fig. 10.

The upper, lowerand outer end reaches or sides ofthe frames U and L havegrooves formed therein for guiding the cutting chains 210 and 211. Thecorners of the frames and the grooves are preferably rounded, as shownin Fig. 10, o that the chains will'travel free-. IV. The chains may beguide'chas' shown'in Fig. 11, and constructed of side links 235 andintermediate or center links 236 suitably 1 connecte'dtogether by hinges237. It will be noted, however, that the central links 236 have lugs286" outstanding laterally there from and preferably formed integrallytherewith. These lugs project beyond the faces of the side links 235 andare provided with suitable sockets into which the tools 238 will beinserted, the tools being held in such sockets by means of set screws orby any other suitable means. Thus it will be seen that although thechains may travel in the usual manner of, operating chains of thischaracter, the cutting tools 238 project laterally from the grooves inthe frames in which said chains run. In other Words, the cuttingportions or parts 238 of the chains are dis posed laterally with respectto the vertical plane of the entire loop chain both in the frame U andin the frame L, and when these frames are swung or moved in a horizontalthe horizontal kerf cutters above described are omitted, or they Willmove freely in the horizontal kerfs if such kerfs have already been cutby the above described horizontal kerf cutters shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Although itis preferable to use the loop direction they will cuthorizontal kerfs when chain cutters mounted on the frames U and L incombination'with the above described horizontal kerf cutters so as tominimize the strains on the frames U andL, it should be understoodthatvsuch frames together with their connections with the platform25'may be made of sufficient strength to operate ef-' ters-shown in Fig.1 are'used in conjunction chain cutter units.

with the loop chain cutters shown in Fig. 10, the supporting structurefor the framesU and L need not be made as strong, and therefore cheaperand lighter material maybe used because the only cutting strains towhich the frames U and L will then be subjected will be that which isnecessary to cut the inner vertical lrerfs to entirely sever the blocksof material from the mine wall or to finish the kerfs D if the cutter140 is also used. In other words, only the vertical "portions'or outerends of the frames U and L and the corresponding reaches of the cuttingchains lowermost kerf cutters shown in Fig.1 could be used for cuttingthe inner vertical 'ke rf, and the intermediate kerf cutter shown inFig. 1 relied on to produce the intermediate horizontal kerf,'the doubleloop chain cutter shown in Fig. 10 is preferable because it distributesthe cutting strains between two loop Any suitable mechanism may beemployed for driving the chains 210 and 211. "In the drawings, I haveshown the chains 210 and 211 looped around and driven by two sprockctwheels 240 'as shownin Fig. 10.- These 1 t wheels are mounted uponshafts 241 1 an 1.42. The shaft 242 is journaled at one sproclqe in abearing 243 formed atV-the" point wherethe extension 213 j oins thesupporting arm 204; at its other end the shaft 242 is.

journaled in a bearing 244 at the upper end of a standard'mounted on theplatform 25. The upper shaft 241 is journaled in a single bearing 245which is formed at the pointwhere the extension 216 joins the uppersup-, porting arm 204.. These two shafts 241Jand 242 receive powerfromja'countershaft202 bymeans of suitable gearingythe shaft 241- havina large gear 248 meshing with the gear 205 on the count'ershaft202. [Thelower'shaftcarries a. similar large gear 246 which is driven by the gear247L011 thecountershaft 202. j n W111 a noted alarms driving arrangementis such that the chains21O and 211 travel in the same direction as shownby the arrow in Fig. 10. The lower length ofthe in opposite directionsin the intermediate hor- V izontai kerf, but this is not objectionablebecause the rear length is not required to do any cutting.

I find it advisable under certain conditions* to employ the supportingplates 171 to operate in the intermediate and lower horizontal kerfswhen the loop chain cutters are used in combination with-the horizontalkerf cutters V or when such loop chain cutters are used separatelyor'without the horizontal kerf cutters shown in Fig. 1. InlFig. 9 I haveindif cated such supportingidevices in dottedoutline 171 pivoted tobearing rod 250-extending I backwardly from the lower portion of the.

frame U and connected toresilient cushionlng mechanism mountedon thebracket 251 also extending rearwardly from the lower length of the upperframe U." The 'support ing devices 171 maybeidentical in construc tionand mountings with those described-in connection with the constructionshown in Figs. 1 and 2, the'bracket 251fbeing relied on 9 to support theadjusting bolts 174 and the springs 173 and the bearing rods 250 corresponding with'the mechanism adjacent-the.

pivot 170 in Figs. 1 and 2.

It will be obvious, from theforegoing d es scription and comparison ofFigs. 1, 2ian'd3 with Figs. 9 and 10, that the cutter140 shown in Fig. 1and its supporting and operating means may be. omitted tomake roomfo-rthe double loop chain cutting mechanism'without interfering with thethree horizontal kerf cutters mounted as shownin' Figs. 1, 2fand- 3.

When the electric motorMis started, power is immediately transmitted tothe gears246 and 248, as shown in Fig. 9, and the loop chain cutters areoperated as well asthe three hQI'il-J through the gears 206, 207 and 208to the shaft? zontal kerf cutters. "Power is transmitted 34, so'thatwhenthe clutch 39. is operated in Y one directionor the other theturntable to.-'

gether with the cutting mechanism mounted thereonmay be rotated-,intheproper direc': tion. In order to accomplish. the feeding motion of thecutting apparatus, the brake le-v ver 12, shown in Fig. 2, is operatedto setigthe toggle mechanism 9, 10, so as to va'pp'lythe brake shoes 7'firmly' to the wheels of [the truck.

Therefore while'the cutting mecha--' nism, both horizontal andvertical,is started by the starting of the motor, the feeding-ope eratiou doesnot begin until the clutch 89,i s

thrown inand the parts are in properv posi-j tion to secure the turningof the platform 25'. When the clutch 39 is thrown-in, theshaft;46; isoperated and because thebrakes shown in the truck. instead of the cup21. 20

' is's crew-threaded on its interior and is thread- I form or turntable25.

Frigq2 i are applied thelarge gear 48 willbe held: stationary or lockedin fixed position,

and consequently the pinion47 will travel around'the gear 48 and thusswing the cuttingmechanism during operation. l/Vhen the platform is thusrotated the pin 54, of course, inust be held withdrawn from the notches55 so. as topermit free rotation of the cylindrical flange 27 in thecylindrical cup 21.

In order. toadjustthe height of the cutting mechanism, I have providedmechanism showiiin Fig. 2 for lifting and lowering the platform on thetruck. A shaft E is mounted in bearingssupported by the truck andcarriesa worm E meshing with a worm wheel E3 mounted onthe cylindricalextension E of a rotatable: bushing provided with a circular flange Eresting on the upper surface of The annular shoulder E holds thehushingE in'position in a' circular opening in the upper side of thetruck platform. 1 The sub-platform 26 rests upon and is supported by alarge nut Ff which ed upon a hollow upstanding portion E of 'the rotarybushing Thus by turning the hand wheel 310 the worm gearing E, E may beoperated to turn the bushing E on the cir cular' bearing E and therotation of this bushing causes the threaded upstanding portion Ethereof to screw into or out of the large nut'E, thereby lifting orlowering the plat- In order to lock the 7 large nut E againstrotation,it maybe firmly secured to the sub-platform 26 or it may beprovided with 'a'depending pin E which slides 1 through an opening inthe truck frame r a The motor M, as shown in Fig. 1, is mounted uponthe' platform 25 at one side thereof so as 'to assist-in'balancing themachine against the Weight of the cutting mechanism which is disposed,at the opposite side of the platform. In some instances, the balancingweight of the motormay not be sufficient, and it may therefore bedesirable .to lock the truck tothe tracks while at the same time permitting thetr-uclr to travel along the track. I I

I therefore provide another-set of angularly disposed flanged wheels orrollers 13, the

flanges of which, as shown in Fig. 1, engage the'under side of the.ball' of the rails 2 and .thereby prevent the truck from being tiltedorraised relatively to the track'by any strains or unusualloads whichmay come upon the i machine". and which might have a tendency tooverbalance it. I These locklng wheels or rollers '13, are mounted atthe lower ends of r the depending arms 14, which are rotatably mountedupon short shafts 15 outstanding from the frameof the truck, so that thelock- ,ing wheel's may be swung inwardly away V from therails to.release the truck from the track in-the event that it is desired to doso on such an'foccasion as when the machine is to be taken outoffthemine or the track re-laid in other parts of" the 'mine. Thebearing portions-"of these rotary arm's l4 have gear teeth 16 which meshwith and are driven by worms 17 which are in turn mounted upon i theends of short shafts1'8 gournaledin' bear- In order to operate themining machin Fi 2 are first applied to the truck wheels to old thetruck stationary, and the pins 54 are moved to, releasing position. Thesup plem'en-tal wheels 13 are also brought into position against therails so as to keep the truck and mining machine from tipping of? thetrack. By turning the wheel 310. shown in Fig. 2 the cutting mechanismmay be adjusted to the proper elevation. Assuming that the cuttingmechanism has already been moved to a position extending rearwardly fromthe truck platform 25, as shown in Fig.

1, the motor may be started by means of well knownmain line andreversing switch mechanlsm to secure the operation of theloop chaincutters in the directions indicated by the arrows in Fig. 10. Now,bythrowing in the clutch 39, as shown in Fig. 2, motion will betransmitted from the gearingshown in Fig. 9 to theshaft 34 and thence tothe gearv47 which will travel around the gear 48 now held stationary.When the frame carrying the cutting mechanism hasswungto. a positionwhere the double loop chain'kerf cutter is substantially at right anglesto the mine wall, the clutch 39 is thrown to neutral position to stopthe feeding operation I of the cutting mechanism by stopping theswinging motion ofthe frames thereof. Now,by thrusting inwardly thepin54, the flange27' may be locked to the flange 21, as shown in Fig.1,. soasto lock the platforms 25 and 26 on thetruck.

locking position. The clutch 39 is then again operated to rotate thepinion 47. This'time,

however, the large gear 48 will be free to rotate while the shaft 46,being mounted inv the platform 25, will remain in one positionrelatively to the truck. Therefore the gear 48 will be rotated totransmit motion to the 'The'brake mechanism is'now released while thesupplemental wheels 13 may be left in v j iii-J bevel gears 51, 52, (Sand 4, shown i Fi 8 torpropel the truck together with the entire miningmachine along the. track; 1 The movement of the truck now becomes thefeeding movement of the cuttin'ginechanism which may be continuedunti'litis desired to with draw the cutting mechanism from the mine wall,whereupon thetruck is stopped, the

brakes applied, the pin 54 released and the blocks of coal of uniformsize and also to re lieve the weight-of the coal on the cuttingmechanism in the intermediate and lowermost kerfs. It is obvious that ifthe vertical kerfs'C are produced at frequent intervals, as shown inFig. 13, the blocks of coal will each fall a short distance one afteranother and as soon as cut, and in this waythe weight on the cuttingmechanism is greatly relieved aside from the supporting devices 171,because they will not usually break down until almost entirely severedand then substantially half the weight is taken by the floor'of the mineat the other ends of the respective blocks. v a

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a trailer 171 back of thefloor kerfcutter and another back of the intermediate kerf-cutter. Thetrailer plates 1-71 are provided with springs 17 3 so that such platesmay yield to the inequalities of the kerfs and at thesame time besufficiently rigid to properly support the coal above it to keep thesame from binding the kerf-cutter thereby keeping the kerf wide open andaffording freedom of feeding movement for the kerf-cutter.

The upward pressuresexertedby the trail- I er plates 171 may be variedby varying the tensions of the springs 17 3. These trailers plate 143and the yielding supporting devices operate in upward directions toyieldingly support the cut coal which projects rear-. wardly over theplate 143 shown in Fig. 2. The yielding supporting devices K alsooperate to assist in supporting the material above the kerf'cut bythe-kerf-cutter. It will thus be seen that the yielding supportingdevices K coact with the yielding trailers 171 in supporting theprojecting cutcoal duringthe operation of the kerf-cutting mechanism forthe purpose of preventing the coal above the kerf-cutter from sagging tosuch an extent as to tend to-bind the kerf-cutter below. Iii otherwords, the'yielding devices K and the trailers171 keep the kerfs spreadapart so that the kerf-cutters in advance thereof will have ,freedom offeeding movement.

' It should be understoodthat when the cutter 140 of Fig. 1 is omittedto make room for the loop chain cutter shown in Fig. 10, the

K and also the-"trailing devices .171 are mount ed on the bearing rods250 corresponding with I 1 the mechanism adjacent the pivot 17 O inFigs. 1 and 2. It should also be noted that the uppermost andlowermostruns of the multiple loop chain cutter shown in Fig.10 are eachindependently adj usted in elevation so that kerfs may be cut inspaced-apart parallel planes in accordance with the lines of cleav ageat the upper and lower limits of the coal vein. z

It should be understood that those skilled in the art may make variouschanges in the details and arrangement of parts herein disclosed withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by theclaims 7 hereto appended. I desire, therefore, not to be restricted tothe exact construction herein 7 disclosed.

Having thus fully disclosed an embodiment of my invention, what I desireto secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a mining machine, the combination with a multiple loop chain corecutting mechanism having adjacent unobstructed core openingstherethrough, of means for feeding said core cutting mechanism transeversely of the planes thereof, andmeans for actuating said cuttingmechanism 7 transversely to the direction of feeding movement. thereof.t

2. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of aplurality of loop chain core cutters each having an unobstructedcoreopening therethrough, means for supporting said core cutters on saidframe; in position to cut adjacent cores in a mine wall, means fordriving said core cutters, and means for swinging'said core'cuttersrelatively to said-frame-to effect arcuate feeding of said corecutters.

3.- Ina mining machine, the combination with asupporting frame, of amultiple loop 5 chain cutter for producing joining kerfs in a mine wall,each sectionof said multiple loop chain cutter having an unobstructedcore opening therethrough, means for supporting said multiple loop chaincutter on said frame I in position to out multiple cores spaced from csaid frame, and means for operating said thereof to produce such kerfsand such cores. j

4. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of aplurality of loop chain corecutters each having an unobstructed coreopening therethrough, means multiple loop chain cutter including feedfor supporting said loop chain core cutters on said supporting frame toeiitend laterally therefrom relative to .the path of travel of saidsupporting frame,and me ans for operating said core cutters includingrectilinear movement of said supporting frame to secure rectilinearfeeding movement of core cutters to cut a plurality ofv cores from anup'f};

right mine wall spaced laterally from the pathiof travelof saidsupporting frame.

cuttinglmec'hanism to cut an E-shaped kerf in 5'. "In a mining machine,the combination with multiple loop chain cutting mechanism,

having adjacent unobstructed core openings therethrough, ofmeans foroperating said amine wall, and adjacent cores bounded by such lrerfsandotihe" face of the mine wall, and

means for supporting the aforesaidstructure in position for operation onmaterial in its native-bed. or

6. In a mining machine, with a supporting frame, of multiple loopchaincore-cutting mechanism, means for supporting said core cuttingmechanism on said frame in. position to out superposed. U-shaped 'withaplurality of loop chain core cutters.

each having an unobstructed core opening therethrough, of means forsupporting said chain cutters in different planes of operation, andmeans for operating said chain cutters to cause each'of them to out acore of material in aiminewall. V V

8. In a mining machine, the combination with two loop chain kerfcutterseach having unobstructed core openings therethrough for i thepassage of cut material, of a frame for supporting said chain cutters tocause ad acent runs thereof to travel in an intermediate lreriand meansfor operating said kerf cutters including the feed thereo'ftocut kerfsin a mine wall including such intermediate lierf.

9. The combination with two loop chain cutters each I having anunobstructed core opening thereth'rough, of mechanism for sup portingsaid chain cutters in superposed positions with predeterminedlengthsthereof in the same-plane, and neans for operatingsaid chain: cutters toproduce a plurality of kerfs in a mine wall around cores respectivelypro-V j'ecting through said cutters.

V 10. In a mining mach ne, the combination with supporting framework, ofa multiple loop chain core cutter having ad acent unobstructed coreopenings extending therethrough, means for supporting said multiple loopchain core cutter on said framework for arcuate feeding'movementrelatively thereto, meansfor driving said multiple loop chain corecutter, and: means for swinging the coco multiple loop chain core cutterrelatively to said framework to secure arcuate feeding movementof'saidchain core cutter to cut adjacent cores spaced fromsaidframework. 7 1i. Ina machine, the GOIIlblllELlllOll with a pluralityofloop chain core cutters each the combination having an unobstructedcore opening them? through, of framework fOl'" supporting; saidloopchaincore cutters in different planes-but in such relation toeach otheras to produceimmediately acent cores respectively eX'-- tending throughsaid: unobstructed oore'openr; ings, and means for operating said loopchain. core cutters t'oscut communicating kerfs hack' oftheac'oresi T ai V 12 In a: mining machine, the combination with supporting framework,,of a multiple core cutter each section, having an unobstructed coreopening therethrough,means:

for pivot'ally" supporting said multiple core cutter on said frameworkfor feeding movea,

ment relatively thereto, and'means for opera.

ating said multiple core cutter including,

swinging feeding movement thereof. relative 1y to said framework tosimultaneously cut adjacent cores respectivelyextendingithrough theunobstructedcore openings of saidsec-v-i t ionsr v 13. In a miningmachine,,the: combination with. a portable, frame, .of: a;- supplementalframe rotatably mounted" thereon, asmultiploloopcutter having; adjacentunobstructed; core openings therethrough, said cut-terbe v ir mounted onsaid-supplemental frame to? move bodily therewith, andmeans-foroperating said multiple loop cutter to produce continuouskerfs; in armine'wall around adjacent cores respectivelyextendingthrough,

said unobstiiuoted core openings, 1

p 1:41. Inea'ininingmachinathe combination with a main supportingframe,of a double:

cutter frame having unobstructed core-open}; ings-t-herethrough; incloseproximity to each. other with theintermediate portion of said doubleframein fixed relatioiizto saidsupport-i ing frame, travelling chain"cutting mech'-;

anism mounted onsaid double frame, means: for operating saidchainpcutting mechanism including the f'eedthereof by movement of saiddouble frame to cut ju-irtaposed cores; Off Hmteflalill a mine-wa1l, andmeans for 1ndividually adj ustin'g, thespaci-ng of; the runs. of saidchain; cutting mechanism i on 'botli vsidesof the intermediate runalong/thatportion of 1 saiddouble frame mounted in fixed relation to:s'aidsupport ngframe; v

15. Ina mining machine, the combinatio with a pluralityof'loop-chaincutters, of a frame for each of saidlfoop'chaincutters, each:

of said frames having an; unobstructed core opening therethrough, amain' SUPPOIHIIQ;

frame, connections between said loop cutter,

frames and saidniai'n su* ortinm frame tosupport said chain cutters for"operationv in;

different but adjacent upright planes With-a. runof one of saidloopcuttmframes back of a run'of the other loop; cutterv frame lIltEIE- mediatethe floor and ro'ofof: the mine'chamber, means'for actuating-sa d chaincutters,

and mechanismforfeedingasaidfchainicutter-r l frames to cause saidchainicutt rs pr uceing the width of said frame and decreasing i EllC.

a plurality of horizontal kerfsconnected by vertical lrerfs at theirrear ends. 7 16, In a mining machine, the combination with two 10 pchain cutters, of a main supporting frame, a frame foreach of said loopcutters, each of said frames having an unobstructe: core openingtherethrough, supzework for supporting said loop arms on said mainsupporting frame w i lengths of said loop chaincutters between co:es insubstantially the same plane, tl e planes of said chain cutterstransversely of the cores being in different but adj accnt planes, meansfor actuating said chain i, itteis, and means for feeding said chaincutters together with their frames to form a double Ushaped kerf in'amine wall and produce juxtaposed cores.

17. In a mining machine, the combination with a truck, of a main framemounted'on said truck for arcuate movement on an upight axis, brakemechanism for holding said truck stationary, a multiple loop corecutting having a plurality of immediately adjacent unobstructed coreopenings therethrough and mounted on said main frame to move bodilytherewith, mechanism for propelling said truck to secure feedingmovement of said core cutter along the mine wall to cut parallel coresrespectively extending through said unobstructed core-openings, andmeans for effecting arcuate movement of said main frame on said truck tosecure swinging feeding movement of said multiple core cutter in an 18.The combination with a loop chain cuttor, a guide frame therefor, meansfor adjusting the width of said guide frame, means for adjusting thelength of said guide frame, and means for operatlng said chain cutter toproduce'a U-shaped kerf in the mine wall in accordance with theadjustments of said frame.

' 19. The combination with a chain cutter, of a guide frame therefor,means for increasits length or decreasing the width of said frame andincreasing its length to adjust the dimension of the cut withoutsubstantially varying the length of the path of travel of said chaincutter, and-means for operating said chain cutter to produce a U-shapedkerf in a mine wall in accordance with the adjustments of said frame.

20. In mining machine, the combination with a loop chain cutter, of aframe therefor having an unobstructed core opening therethrough, meansfor operating said loop chain utter including the movement of said frameto feed said cutter while the core cut thereby extends through saidunobstructed core openfra1nc work for supporting the aforesaid parts, apredetermined length of said chain cutter being adapted to extend in aplane substantially level withthe mine floor for feed 21. In a miningmachine, the combination" with loop chain cutter, of a frame thereforhaving an unobstructed core opening therethrough, means for supportingsaid loop chain cutter and said frame in a substantially'vertical planewith the lower length of said chain.

cutter in a plane parallel to the floor of the mine and adjacentthereto, means for adjusting the elevation of such lower length of saidchain cutter relatively to the remainder of the cutter to operatesubstantially in the plane of the floor or in planes substantially abovethe plane of the mine floor, and meansfor operating said chain cutterincluding the feed thereof by movement of said chain cutter frame forthe various adjustments of such lower length. 22. In a mining machine,the combination with a supporting frame,of a supplemental framerotatably mounted on said supporting frame, a plurality of spaced-apartplane kerf cutters on said supplemental frame, a loop chain core cuttercomprising a cutter frame 1 having an unobstructed core opening therethrough and means detachably connecting,

said cuttercframeto saidsupplemental frame in position to cause theupperand lower runs of said core cutter to extend along theikerfs produced bysaidkerf cutters, and to cause the outer upright run of said core cutterto ly relatively to saidsupporting frame to effect arcuate feedingmovement of said plane kerf cutters when said core cutter is detached,

and to effect feeding movement of said kerf cutters and said core cutterwhen the latter is connected tosaidsupplemental frame.

23. In a mining machine, the combination with main supporting frame, ofa plurality of loop chain core cutters each comprising a rectangularframe Idetachably connected to said main supporting frame, each of saidrectangular frames having an unobstructed core opening therethrough, andmeans for operating said chain cutters including the feed thereof to outimmediately adjacent cores in a mine wall or a single core when one ofsaid frames is detached.

24.111 a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, ofspaced apart plane kerf cutters mounted on said supporting frame, a loopchain core cutter comprising a cutter frame having an unobstructed coreopening therethrough and having spaced apart runs in the planes ofmovement-of the respective plane kerf cutters, a connection between saidcutter frame and said supporting ios frame topermit said cutter frame.together with said chain core cutter to be readilyde- 't-acfhed fromsaid supporting frame, means for operating said plane lrerf cutters.including the feed thereof, and means for operating sa1d loop chain corecutter including the feed thereof to follow the feeding movement of saidplane kerf cutters.

25. In a mining machine, the combination with a main supporting frame,of loop kerf cutting mechanism having an unobstructed core-openingtherethrou-gh and comprising a "cutter frame,'a connection between saidcutter Z frame and said main supporting frame to per- "mit said cutterframe to be detached from said supporting frame, an additional loopker'f cutting mechanism having an unobstructed core opening therethroughadjacent the first named core opening and comprising an additionalcutter frame connected to said main supporting frame, and means foroperating said first named kerf cutting mechanism y' and said additionallzerf cutting mechanism including the feed thereof to cut coresimmediately ad acent to each other in a mine wall. 26. In a miningmachine, the comb nation 'with afloop chain core cutter comprising aframe having an-unobstructed core opening therethrough, of framework forsupporting said chain cutter in-a substantially. vertical plane, atrailer connected to the lower horizontal portion of said cutter frameand extending back therefrom to assist in support ing the materialabovethe lower horizontal 'kerf produced by said cutter, and means foroperating saidcutter including feeding movefment thereof while themovement of said cut ter frame drags along behind itsaid trailer.

27. In a mining machine, the combination with a ,multlpleloop chaincutter comprlsing .a frame having uxtaposed unobstructed core ,openingstherethrough, of means for operating said multiple loop chain cutter toproduce a plurality of horizontal spacedapart kerfs and uprightconnecting kerfs, and trailing j mechanism following the lowermost andintermediate lengths of said frame for assistingin supporting materialabove the kerfs below the uppermost'kerf.

v 28. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of aplurality of spaced apart kerf cutters mounted on said frame, means foroperating said kerf cutters to produce spaced apart kerfs in a minewall,

a multiple loop cutter having adjacent unobstructed openingstherethrou-gh for the passage of cut material, means for operating saidmultiple loop cutter'to'produce kerfs spaced back from the face of themine wall and connectingthe inner ends of the said spaced apart kerfs,and connections for mounting the aforesaid parts cooperatively on sa dsupporting frame. I 7

29. The combination with a plurality of 'lrerf cutters substantiallyparallel to each other and spaced apart, of a multiple loop cutterextending through the lrerfs produced by said parallel her-f cutters,and means for operatingsaid herf cutters and said multiple loopcu'tters'to produce communicating kerfs in a mine wall and entirelysever a plurality of sections of material therefrom.

30. The combination with a plurality of kerf cutters each horizontal inelevation, a

loop cutter extending through the kerfs pro duced by said first namedkerf cutters, a frame for supporting said first named lrerf cutters foroperation ahead of said loop cutter, means for rectilinearly adjustingthe elevation of said cutters and means for operat-- ing said kerfcutters and said loop cutters simultaneously to produce a U-shaped' kerfin a mine wall.

31. The combination with a plurality of kerf cutters, of means forsupporting said kerf cutters in positions spaced apart but substantiallyparallel to each other, mechanism for operating said kerf cutters tosimultaneously produce a pluralityof spaced apart parallel kerfs in amine wall, a multiple loop chain cutter having unobstructed openingstherethrough for the passageof cut material,

and means for operating said multiple loop cutter toproduce connectingkerfs between the inner ends of the first named 'kerfs spaced" backfrom'the face of themine wall.

mined relation and while maintaining said first-named cuttershorizontally.

The combination with a plurality of horizontal 'kerf cutterssubstantially parallel to each otherand spaced apart, of means foractuating said kerf cutters, a plurality of loop chain cutters forproducing vertical connecting lrerfs at. the rear ends of saidhorizontal' kerfs, means for supporting saidloop chain, cutters toextend through the kerfs produced by said first named kerf cutters,means for actuating said loop chain cutters, a main frame for supportingall of the aforesaid parts, and means for moving said frame to fitthelrerf cutting mechanism and said loop chain cutters to effect theproduction of communicating U-shaped kerfs in a mine wall.

34. In a mining machine, the combination with a truck, of a loop chaincore-cutter having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough andcomprising an upper run adapted to occupy a position in an upperhorizontal plane, of a supporting frame

